Coin-testing attachment for coin-controlled mechanisms.



A. D. GROVER.

COIN TESTING ATTACHMENT FOR COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29. 1914.

Patented Feb. 27, 1917.

/N\/EI\/TUR I/berzD. Gmrer ATTORNEY UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT D. GROVEB,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AUTOSALES GUM & CHOCOLATE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. I

COIN-TESTING ATTACHMENT FOR COIN-CONTROLLED MECHANISMS.

Patented Feb. 2'7, 1917.

Application filed May 29, 1914. Serial No. 841,742.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT D. GROVER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin- Testing Attachments for Coin-Controlled l\Iechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

he object of my invention is to provide a coin-testing device readily applicable to all kinds of coin-controlled mechanisms to prevent the insertion of magnetic checks and perforated disks like washers.

My new and improved coin-testing device is characterized by extreme simplicity of construction and operation. Furthermore, the arrangement of the parts is so compact that the device as a whole occupies but little space and may be readily attached to various kinds of machines or mechanisms where a coinis depended upon to perform some given function or operation. As one type of mechanism in which my invention finds special application, I may mention telephone toll boxes where the coin either efiects the electrical connections in the telephone signal circuit, or mechanically rings the bell.

One feature of my invention comprises magnetic means whereby a magnetic disk or slug is automatically deflected against a fixed stop outside of the coin-chute and thus prevented from passing through the coinchute. In the preferred form of my inven tion, this magnetic arresting means includes a balanced frame work carrying a magnet and a section of the coin-chute. the frame is so balanced that the movable section of the coin-chute is in the coin-passage. When, however, a mag netic disk is inserted into the coin-entrance slot, it adheres to the magnet poles, so that downward pressure on the disk causes the frame work to tilt and carry the movable section together with the slug out of alinement with the com-passage against a fixed stop which is wholly outside of the coinchute. This positively locks the magnetic disk against further insertion into the coinchute. The coin-passage is at all times unobstructed, for no part of the magnetic testing device projects into the coin-chute.

The second feature of my invention is for an improvement in the washer-testing device Normally,

alinement with set forth in my co-pending application, Serial No. 781,072, filed July 25, 1913. The present improvement consists in the connection between the lever actuated by the enter ng washer and the locking member WhlCll is thrust across the coin-slot to enter the hole in the washer and lock the same aga1nst further insertion. This improved connectlon between the locking member and lts controlling member consists in an interposed sprlng which is weaker than the sprmg holding the controlling member in normal position. Both springs are normally under compression, but the weaker spring 1 s normally inoperative. \Vhen the controlling member is actuated by the enter ng washer, the interposed spring between the two members is allowed to actuate the locking member across the coin-slot through the hole in the washer.

In the-broad aspect of. my invention, the foregoing features may be mechanically-embodied in different forms. A preferred form is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box or casing containing my coin-testing mechanism, as adapted for attachment to telephone toll boxes.

Fig. 2, is a rear view of a portion of the inclosing casing, showing one of the cointesting mechanisms housed therein.

Fig. 3, is a cross-sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, the parts of the magnetic testing device being shown in normal position.

Fig. 4, is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing how the magnetic testing device deflects an 3 inserted magnetic disk against the fixed stop outside of the coin-chute.

Fig. 5, is a horizontal view in cross-section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing a bottom view of my improved washer-catcher; and

Fig. 6, is a horizontal view in cross-section on line 6-6 of Fig. 3..

For the sake of illustrating one of the many applications of my invention, I have shown the same in the form of an attachment for telephone toll boxes. For this purpose the working parts are housed within a box or casing 1 adapted for attachment to the ordinary telephone toll boxes now in use. This box has three coin-entrance slots 2, 3 and 4 adapted to receive coins of the. values indicated in Fig. 1. With each of these v is fixed a suitable stop 18.

nisms are alike, it will only be necessary to show and describe one of them. ."ll-he drawings show the mechanism associated with'the' five cent slot 2. I

' Within the space or chamber 5 back of the coin-slot 2, is mounted a rod 6 in any suitable manner, as by means of the ears or lugs 7 which may conveniently be struck up from the inner wall of the coin-chute.

On the rod 6 is journaled a suitable frame Work indicated as a whole by F, which in the particular instance shown, comprises a pair of perforated lugs 8, through which the rod 6 passes, a front plate 9 and a bottom plate 10. The precise construction of the frame work is whollyimmaterial as long as it is suitable to support the magnet 11 and the section 12 of the coin-chute 13. The poles 14 of the magnet 11 are bent at right angles to the limbs of the magnet and project through alined openings in the section 13, so that the extreme ends of the poles are substantially flush with the inner wall of the coin-chute, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The coin-chute section 12 is riveted or otherwise firmly secured to the front plate 9 of the support F. The magnet is fixed on the support by means of a bar 15 and bolt or screw 16 which clamp the magnet firmly against the bottom plate of the support. The outer end of the movable section 12 is slightly beveled as indicated at 17 in Fig. 3, for a purpose which will presently appear. The support F, with the magnet 11 and the coin-chute section 12, is so balanced that normally the section 12 is in alinement with the coin-chute.

' Below the support F in the chamber 5 In the particular construction illustrated, this stop is mounted on the inner wall 19 of thecoinchute by bolts or rivets 20. The stop 18 is arranged slightly below the lower end of the coin-section 12 and is at the rear provided with'an upstanding lug 21, which acts as a stop to limit the rearwardly swinging movement of the support. The operation of my new magnetic testing device will now be understood and is as follows:

As the coin-chute is normally unobstructed, a proper coin is free to pass by the magnet into operative position to perform its intended function-whether it be closing an electric circuit or efi'ectin a vending operation, or any other deslred function. When a magnetic disk is inserted into the coin-slot, it immediatelyad 4 cated at D. The initial downwardpush on the disk causes the support to' assumeflthe position shown in Fig. 4, and a' further push causes the disk to slide on the magnet poles until itengages the stop 18 and isjloc ked against further insertion. The'upstanding lug 21 on the stop 18 engages the lower end of the section 12 and limits the rearward movement of the support F. An attempt to force the slug D through the coin-passage by means of an instrument, is absolutely futile, because it is impossible to prevent the disk from adhering to the magnet and therefore to the swinging support as a whole.

To permit the withdrawal of the magnetic disk, I provide a small window or opening 22 through which an instrument may be inserted to engage the disk D and force it upwardly sufliciently to be grasped by the fingers and Withdrawn from the coinslot. The beveled upper edge 17 of the section 12 prevents any possible wedging of the disk between the section 12 and the opposite wall of the coin-chute when the disk is forced upwardly for removal. Preferably, the front wall of the coin-chute is provided with a recess 23 to accommodate the upper edge of the disk when in the position shown in-Fig. 4.

It will be observed that no part of my new magnetic testing device projects at any tlme into the'coin-c'hute proper, thus leaving the coin-chute unobstructed at all times. The support F and the parts it carries need not be heavy and strong, for the reason that Whatever pressure may be brought to bear upon the magnetic disk is borne by the fixed stop 18 which is entirely separate and independent of the swinging frame.

Where the box or casing 1 is set up truly vertical, the section 12 could be omitted, because a descending coin would then be in no danger of falling laterally against the stop 18. However, to guard against this contingency, I prefer to employ the section 12 for guiding the good coins through the coin-chute.

The improved washer-testing mechanism hereinsetforth is mounted on a base plate [24 which is adapted to be slid into the chamber 5 above the magnetic testing device .in my aforementioned co-pending application, Serial N 0. 781,072, filed July 25, 1913, and the improvement herein described is limited to the operative connection between the washer-locking member 26 and the controlling member 27. The locking member 26 is slidably mounted on the plate 24:, being guided in-its movement by the ribs 28 normally held rocked clockwise and 29. The controlling member 27 is pivoted on the stud 30 of the plate 24 and has anarm 31 extending across one end of the coin-slot 2, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. To accommodate the swinging movement of the arm 31, the coin-slot 2 is enlarged at 32. The arm 33 of the lever 27 extends through the slot or opening 34 in the rib 29 and is against the rear end of that opening by a spring 35. This spring bears at its upper end against the extension 36 of the'lever 27 and at its lower end rests in the recess 37 in the rib 29. A spring 38, weaker than the spring 35, is arranged between the shoulder 39 in locking member 26 and the free end of the arm 33 of the lever 27. Springs 35 and 38 are both normally under compression, but owing to the fact that spring 35 is the stronger, spring 38 is normally inoperative. \Vhen a washer is inserted into the coin-slot 2, the lever 27 is (as viewed in Fig. 5) against the action of spring 35, and the free end of the arm 33 vmoves away from the shoulder 26 of the locking member 26. This places spring 38 under further compression,

and as soon as the opening in the washer comes into alinement with the locking mem-' ber 26, the spring 38 at once asserts itself and projects the free end of the member 26 through the opening in the washer, thereby locking the same against further insertion into the coin-slot. The inner fixed wall 19 of the coin-chute is provided with openings 40 and 41, respectively, to accommodate the arm 31 of the lever 27 and the free end of the member 26. The movement of the member 26 into locking position is limited by the shoulders 42. The underside of the free end of the locking member 26 is beveled as indicated at- 43 in Figs. 3 and 4, so as to permit withdrawal of the caught washer. \Vhen a good coin is inserted into the coinslot, the lever 27 is actuated as in the case of a washer. but the pressure of the member 26 against the facg of the coin under the action of the compressed spring 38, is not sufficient to interfere with the downward passage of the coin. Vhen the coin has passed about three-fourths of its diameter by the arm 31. it is snapped through the coin-chute by the arm 31. as the force of the spring 35 overcomes the slight friction of the locking member 26 on the face of the com.

The magnetic testing mechanism and the washer-testing mechanism of my invention need not be used in the same machine, as each acts independently of the other but when associated together, they protect the machine not only against magnetic disks and washers. but also against non-magnetic washers or rings. It is to be understood, of course, that the parts around the magnet should be of non-magnetic material, for instance, brass, so as not to short-circuit the magnet or otherwise interfere with-the full effect of the magnet on magnetic slugs.

It is obvious that while I have herein shown one specific embodiment of my invention, the basic idea may be mechanically carried out in other ways than above set forth by way of illustration.

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In ascoin-t-esting attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a swinging framework or support, a magnet fixedly mounted on said support, a coin-chute having a section carried by said support, the poles of said magnet being substantially flush with said section, said support being normally so balanced that said section is in alinement with the fixed wall of the coin-chute, whereby a downward push on a magnetic disk adhering to the poles of the magnet overba-lances said support and swings the section and the disk out of alinement with the coinfor positively arresting downward movement of the magnetic disk when said section is in operated position.

2. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a coin-chute having a swinging section normally in alinement with the fixed wall thereof, means whereby the insertion of and downward. push on a magnetic disk into said. coin-chute automatically causes said section and the disk to swing out of alinement with the coinpassage in said chute, and a stop outside of the coin-chute for positively arresting downward movement of the magnetic disk when said section is in operated position.

3. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a swinging framework or support, a magnet fixedly mounted on said support, a coin-chute having a section carried'by said support, the poles of said magnet being substantially flush with said section, said support being normally so balanced that said section is in alinement with the fixed wall of the coin-chute, whereby a downward push on a magnetic disk adhering to the poles of the magnet overbalances said support and swings the section and the disk out of alinement with the coin-chute, and a stop outside of the coinchute for positively arresting downward movement of the magnetic disk when said section is in operated position, said stop being arranged to engage said section for magnetic disk into said coin-chute automatically causes said section and the disk to swing out of alinement with the coin-passage in said chute, and a stop outside of the coin-chute for ositively arresting downward movement of the magnetic disk when said section is in operated position, saidstop being arranged to engage said section for limiting the swinging movement thereof,

5. In a coin-testing attachment for comcontrolled mechanisms, a swinging framework or support, a magnet fixedly mounted on said support, a coin-chute having a section carried b said support, the poles of said magnet being substantially flush with said section, said support being normally so balanced that said section is in alinement with the fixed wall of the coin-chute, whereby a downward push on a magnetic disk adhering to the poles of the magnet overbalances said support and swings the section and the disk out of alinement with the coinchute, and a stop carried by said coin-chute on the outside thereof below said swinging section for positively arresting downward movement of the magnetic disk when said section is in operated position. a

6. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a coin-chute having a swinging section normally in alinement with the fixed wall thereof, means whereby the insertion of and downward push on a magnetic disk into said coin-chute causes said section and the disk to swing out of alinement with the coin-passage in said chute, and a stop carried by said coin-chute on the outside thereof below said swinging section for positively arresting downward movement of the magnetic disk when said section is in operated position.

7. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a swinging framework or support, a magnet fixedly mounted on said support, a coin-chute having a section carried by said support, the poles of said magnet being substantially flush with said section, said support being normally so balanced that said section is in alinement with the fixed wall of the coin-chute, whereby a downward push on a magnetic disk adhering to the poles of the magnet overbalances said support and swings the section and the disk out of alinement with the coinchute, and a stop carried by said coin-chute on the outside thereof below said swinging section for positively arresting downward movement of the magnetic disk when said section is in operated position, said stop being arranged to engage said section for limiting the swinging movement of said support.

8. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a coin-chute having a swinging section normally inalinement with the fixed wall thereof, means whereby the insertion of and downward push on a magnetic disk into said c0in-chute automatically causes said section and the disk to swing out of alinement with'the coin-passage in said chute, and a stop carried by said coin-chute on the outside thereof below said swinging section for positively arresting downward movement of the magnetic disk when said section is in operated position, said stop being arranged to engage said section for limiting the swinging movement thereof.

9. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a swinging framework or support, a magnet fixedly mounted on said support, a coin-chute having a section carried by said support, the poles of said magnet being substantially flush with said section, said support being normally so balanced that said section is in alinement with the fixed wall of the coin-chute, whereby a downward push on a magnetic disk adhering to the poles of the magnet overbalances said support and swings the section and the disk out of alinement with the coinchute, a stop outside of the coin-chute for positively arresting downward movement of the magnetic disk when said section is in operated position, and an opening provided in the front wall of said coin-chute opposite said swinging section to permit the insertion of an instrument for lifting the magnetic disk out of engagement with said support and permit withdrawal of the disk through the coin-entrance slot,

10. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a coin-chute having a swinging section normally in alinement with the fixed wall thereof, means whereby the insertion of and downward push on a magnetic disk into said 'coin-chute automatically causes said section and the disk to swing out of alinement with the coinpassage in said chute, a stop outside of the coin-chute for positively arresting downward movement of the magnetic disk when said section is in operated position, and an opening provided in the front wall of said coin-chute opposite said swinging section to a permit the insertion of an instrument for lifting the magnetic disk out of engagement with said support and permit withdrawal of the disk through the coin-entrance slot.

11. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a coin-chute, a fixed stop adjacent to but wholly outside of said coin-chute, and a balanced magnet so arranged that an inserted magnetic disk adheres to the poles thereof and a downward push on said disk causes the magnet to carry said disk against said stop, whereby the magnetic disk is locked against passage through the coin-chute.

12; Ina coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a coin-chute, a fixed 'stop adjacent to but wholly outside of said coin-chute, and a balanced magnet so arranged that an inserted magnetic disk ad-' heres to the poles thereof and a downward push on said disk causes the magnet to carry said disk against said stop, whereby the magnetic disk is locked against passage through the coin-chute, said stop being arranged to limit the movement of said magnet. Y

13. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a coin-chute, a fixed stop adjacent to but wholly outside of said coin-chute, a balanced magnet so arranged that an inserted magnetic disk adheres to the poles thereof and a downward push on said disk causes the magnet to carry said disk against said stop, whereby the magnetic disk is locked against passage through the coin-chute, and an opening in the outer wall of said coin-chute opposite the poles of said magnet to permit the insertion of an instrument-for lifting the magnetic disk out of engagement with said support and permit withdrawal of the disk through the coinentrance slot.

14. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a coin-chute, a swinging framework or support, a magnet fixedly mounted on said support, said support and magnet being normally so balanced that the poles of the magnet are approximately in alinement with'the coin-passagein said chute,

whereby a downward push on a magnetic disk adhering to the poles of the magnet overbalances said support and carries said" disk out of alinement with said coin-chute, and a stop outside of said coin-chute for en-' gaging the magnetic disk. and locking it against passage through the coin-chute.

15. In a coin-testing attachment for coincontrolled mechanisms, a coin-chute, a normally balanced frame-work, a magnet carried by said framework and having its poles substantially in alinement with said coinchute, whereby a push on a magnetic disk' adhering to the poles of said magnet overbalances said framework and causes thesame to rock, and a fixed stop devlce adapted to A. A, Tnoms,

C. J. Kumnne.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe. 

